Forum Topic

Ealing Park Tavern

Considering the age and attractiveness of this building, is there a preservation order on it?

Roy Baker ● 4313d129 Comments

Ealing Park Tavern is a fine building. I read on the front page that it is scheduled to open for Christmas and its a microbrewery. I wonder what type of beer they'll produce - anyone know?

Gerry Tan ● 4313d

"Bitters, pale ales and seasonal brews" according to the press release.

Roy Tunstall ● 4313d

They will hopefully not be charging the ludicrous prices that the previous short-lived tenants tried to get away with.

Nigel Brooks ● 4313d

"Average spend per head for a three-course meal with wine will be circa £35."

Roy Tunstall ● 4313d

If that's the 'average', I wish them good luck with that business plan given the location.

Nigel Brooks ● 4313d

I fear it will be rather expensive, all the other venues in the chain are quite pricey.I hope not too prohibitive but it will have to be really, really good if it is expensive.

Anthony Waller ● 4313d

£35 is a bit pricey, but if the food is good and by 'including wine' they mean half a bottle per head then it's pretty much what you'd expect to pay at a decent gastropub.I think they'd fair better closer to the Broadway than on a dull stretch heading out to the M4.Do any of the pubs in Ealing Broadway do genuinely good food?

John Walker ● 4313d

Fine building but I fear for any 'upmarket' business as the location is just not quite right.

Sam Salisbury ● 4313d

£35.00 for a good meal and wine is too much?I fear many of you have not moved with the times or are spending too long at The Harvester!!!I'm being sarcastic of course but as a spend that is par for the course these days:-Starter          £6.50Main Course      £14.00Desert          £5.50Half bottle wine £9.00Without service = £35.00It's not cheap eating out in London in decent surroundings and once you chuck a bottle of wine in then prices get a bit wincey.Start looking at premium cuts of meat and "style cooking" and the sky's the limit.It's all relative to your circumstances I suppose but I'd hope with EPT's position in Ealing with loads of new housing around it that it will be a success. Ealing is sadly lacking a top notch gastro pub / grillFingers crossed for these guys -- anyone know when it opens?

Colin Goodman ● 4312d

£35 per person is rather high for Ealing imo. We tend to go for 'set menu' lunches at eg Cote, Carluccios or Osteria del Portico and similar, having two courses with extra F/fries and perhaps extra veg, a glass of 'house' each and a pudding...total approx £20 to £25 each including service charge. Its not 'haute cuisine' but very acceptable.

Gerry Tan ● 4312d

But if you add that second glass of plonk (ie the half a bottle I refer to) you are nearly bang on £35.00 save for maybe a couple of quid, three at the most.Our usual spend for a three course meal with a bottle of vino collapso is about £75.00 for the two of us so the £35.00 each price point about bang on.Obviously if we're hitting Pizza Express we'll look to use one of their offers and invariably that'll come in at £25.00 for the two of us.

Colin Goodman ● 4312d

Colin, a 'backwater' like that end of the South Ealing Road is not £35/head territory. Delusions bought on by overpriced Fuller's pubs methinks.If you want really silly prices the newly opened 'One Over The Ait' in Brentford (near Kew Bridge) is leading the way for a pub. £5/pint for a shandy and c.£12 for a pub burger.

Nigel Brooks ● 4312d

£35 for oub grub...I don't think so.

Keith Iddon ● 4312d

Or even 'pub grub'...

Keith Iddon ● 4312d

I have somewhat mixed views about this site and its costs. For several years the EPT was one of only 2 or 3 Ealing places listed in national restaurant guides.  Looking at my 2007 issue of "Harden's Guide" it shows as well above average for food, service and ambience, with a price per person of £35 for a 3-course evening meal with half a bottle of wine.Friends reported that it was amazingly successful for several years, and it was almost impossible to get a table at the weekend.  Then, suddenly, the remaining pub part started charging astronomical prices and, coincidentally or not, the restaurant was empty and their reputation fell off a cliff. So I think £35 per person is achievable in that area but only if the food is consistently top-notch.I only visited once, at least 7 years, ago and it was well worth the money - having said which, my mother loathed it and every moment we stayed there.

Phil Kay ● 4312d

A few years ago, EPT had extremely good food, but recently it's cuisine and service was quite ordinary. I disagree with it being too 'back water' and away from the main eating areas of Ealing, therefore bound to fail. I mean look at an 'out of the way' restaurant like Charlotte's Place at Ealing Common - its food is superb. But they are expensive - at least last year's Christmas menu was very steep - don't know about this year's prices. Anyone know?

Gerry Tan ● 4312d

Charlotte's Place is surrounded (as in 360 degrees) by its target demographic (even including the fact that Ealing Common is slap bang in the way for some of them), whereas EPT (or the Penny Flyer as it will always be to me) can claim an arc of only 90 degrees (120 degrees at best) - the balance of the remainder not really being the natural gastro-pub audience.It makes a difference.

Tony Colliver ● 4312d

Gerry, it is an obscene £95 per head + wines.My money will stay in my pocket, actually it will to Crisis where £95 will feed four homeless people with three meals and get them a change of clothes and a health check and access to support services.Of course it's down to the individual, but £95?!!!

Nigel Brooks ● 4312d

I agree Nigel, £95+ is far too much, yet they have a steady and regular stream of customers willing(and able) to eat so expensively - we can't afford it and tend to go for "fixed price" offers at other eating outlets.Incidentally, another 'out of the way' restaurabnt is the wonderful Walpole in St Mary's Road(opp The Castle and near the University) - its not where the mainstream eateries are located, but is so popular that one has to book a table on Fri and Sats.

Gerry Tan ● 4311d

The Walpole is wonderful.Great quality ingredients cooked perfectly  and sensible prices.If they can do it...........

Nigel Brooks ● 4311d

The Walpole isn't cheap, but quality shines through their menus.  We've known the owners Wendy and Louis since they started(umpteen years now!) in St Mary's Road and love their food and attitudes.

Gerry Tan ● 4311d

It's a lot cheaper than some of the wannabe gastro-pubs Gerry and the dishes that Louis produces are light years ahead.

Nigel Brooks ● 4311d

I went to Avenue restaurant on St James this week http://www.avenue-restaurant.co.uk/I had 3 courses for £23!!! The food was fantastic.  A bottle of Prosecco was very reasonable at £26.  Sides were around £3.50 each.  This is a very expensive part of London so if they can do it why can't Ealing Park Tavern!

Diane Gill ● 4311d

Diane - Are you saying the prosseco was in the £23??I doubt this so half a bottle of plonk = £13So your meal is £36..... About EPTs price point I think?!?I'm in no way affiliated to the EPT my only interest is that a new local venture be given a chance and hopefully be a decent addition right on my doorstep!!!I look forward to visiting there soon

Colin Goodman ● 4310d

No it was 3 courses and a glass of Prosecco for £23.  We then ordered a bottle.

Diane Gill ● 4309d

Colin the restaurant I went to is slap bang in the middle of central London near the Ritz! The last meal I had at EPT was shockingly bad and expensive.  I used to love the place so I am hoping it will be good when it opens.  I'm not all for travelling up town if I can find somewhere local but it just shows what can be done if clever with sourcing ingredients. I do hope they do set meal mid-week prices to draw the punters in.

Diane Gill ● 4309d

You're hitting the nail on the head Nigel. I don't think £35 is a problem for Ealing. I think that end of South Ealing Road is a problem for the owners. Not very attractive and too far away from its natural customers.

Sam Salisbury ● 4309d

Build it - make it good - they will come!!There's always decent offers up town with Book-a-table etc and hopefully EPT will also be doing some specials in midweek and weekend "loss leaders"We shall see.When does it open????

Colin Goodman ● 4309d

"...Not very attractive and too far away from its natural customers."Sam, do you mean that EPT is too far away from As, Bs, C1s and C2s and that its located in C2, D and E territory?A few years ago, EPT used to be rather good for its cuisine, but it deteriorated in the last few years. Let's hope the new EPT proves to be a gem on the good food front.

Gerry Tan ● 4309d

For some reason, Ealing in general can't seem to sustain higher end restaurants, despite the demographics (I give you the Parade, Noughts & Crosses, The Clock, the EPT first incarnation), with Charlotte's Place being the one exception I can think of. I'd be interested in views as to why that is?It's also notable that even around Ealing Broadway with it's many new and rather expensive flats, the rash of new openings are all at what I'd call the mid-range and none seem to really be at the higher end.When you add to this the uninspiring location, I think there's a problem for the business. I wish them well and will certainly give them a try but unless they're absolutely top notch and become a place that people will make a special trip for regularly, I fear for them as that area won't give them very many walk-ins.

Sam Salisbury ● 4309d

You raise a very interesting point about high-end restaurants in our borough Sam. I find it strange too.Btw, have you or yours tried The Pillars restaurant(part of University of West London) in Warwick Road W5?  The cuisine there can be quite exceptional.(Not always, but sometimes).

Gerry Tan ● 4308d

Went to the Parade once, found décor and atmosphere sterile, never went back.North of the Broadway I would suggest Lisa's in the highish end category.

Martin C. Harris ● 4308d

"For some reason, Ealing in general can't seem to sustain higher end restaurants"A while back I heard some people bemoaning Richmond's lack of high end eateries, especially compared to Chiswick. I can only think of the little French restaurant off of the high street, and a little further away, the Glasshouse in Kew.If I'm honest, I never think high end restaurants are that much better to justify the amount spent. I can go out in the evening and spend a small fortune and realize I enjoyed the bacon sarnie I had for lunch far more!

John Walker ● 4308d

Seldom do we go to "high end" restaurants - only on special occasions. We use the fixed price menus rather than a la carte in restaurants and meals can work out quite reasonably priced this way.

Gerry Tan ● 4308d

Its an interesting point, Northfields avenue for instance can sustain 5 or 6 indian restaurants yet there isn't really any high end places expect perhaps Charlotte's place as mentioned. When you look at house prices and the huge cars everyone drives you've got to believe the residents are wealthy!

Jim McCauley ● 4308d

They must all have short arms and deep pockets :-)

Sam Salisbury ● 4307d

Or large mortgages and subsidised cars :-)

Nigel Brooks ● 4307d

It does seem true that Ealing residents have a limit to the amount they're willing to pay for a meal - even a top-flight one.I agree with a previous poster that the financial difference between a regular restaurant and a fancy one does not often justify its existence.Perhaps Ealing has so many "good" restaurants that any "outstanding" establishments would have to be that bit better than anywhere else, in terms of food quality and service?  Guests from elsewhere in London are often surprised that we almost never book a place when we go out to eat.  There are so many places to eat that you just walk on to the next one.I think I was living elsewhere when Parade was around but I did eat at "The Peter Seller's Experience", advertised as a very high-end Indian restaurant.  The food cost a great deal but was no better than the Sitar or Monty's at the time.  We used to love the Sitar but it had lost it for the last 5-6 years before closing.Lisa's is very good imo, as is "Chez l'Ami Davide" at the other end of Pitshanger Lane.

Phil Kay ● 4307d

Maybe some Ealing residents prefer to go into Central London to eat - it really isn't far, and the choice is far more extensive, and often not particularly expensive...

Ann Haddleton ● 4307d

Or very VERY large mortgages!  :-)

Tony Colliver ● 4306d

The EPT has announced on Twitter a 'soft opening' tonight."" Ealing Park Tavern @ealingtavernSoft opening! We're finishing works to perfect your new local, so please enjoy 25% off food tonight from 6pm. ""

Sam Salisbury ● 4305d

Did anyone pop along to the soft opening?When is the hard & fast opening?

Colin Goodman ● 4302d

I'm curious, after all the fuss, numerous opinions and comments, at last the EPT has re-opened - surely someone went to the "spft opening"(whatever that is).  Or did we get the opening date wrong?

Gerry Tan ● 4302d

Basically, the owners can't find anyone to take on their overpriced business model in the middle of a huge council estate so they are trying to keep it ticking over so it doesn't look like too bad a business mistake. With the five six pound a pint model no one in the local area will go there and hence they cannot find a tenant stupid enought to jump into the nice grave dug for them. The owner's business model does not do affordable beer or food - the local press has quoted the brewery as saying that the 65 seater restaurant is epxected to make £65 per person per visit eating food there. Somehow, I suspect that the local inhabitants would be pushed to pasy more than a tenner for a portion of fish and chips and a pint so this enteprise is doomed. Wrong, company, wrong place, greedy brewer should be buying pubs in the City or Canary Wharf NOT in South Ealing/North Brentford estates.

Neil F. Weber ● 4298d

Well the business model seemed to work in that loaction a few years ago. Get the product right and people will travel, and pay more, for something a little special. Why the downer on Council Estates anyway? Mercs and Sky dishes the norm.

Philip Coe ● 4298d

It must be doing something right, tried to book a table for tomorrow night and couldn't get in till 10pm. Booked a table for Thursday and can't wait - I will report back! The menu looks great and cheaper than it used to be. I think it would be fantastic if the EPT is returned to its former glory.

Kelly Cornfield ● 4298d

The model worked so well that the pair of artists who set it up sold it on to another company that went bust.

Neil F. Weber ● 4298d

The EPTs former glory was as the Penny Flyer. As the EPT it was sold on after it failed on the artist pair who made it into the EPT. Subsequent purchasers of the business were repossesed by the brewery (along with one of their other venues the Bollo over in Acton). Wait and see what happens in a few months time as to whether it will be sustainable.By the way, Kelly, your taste in pubs on this forum has been questioanle to say the least, I wouldn;t go to anywhere that you personnaly recommend, especially as I am somewhat suspicious of your support for the EPT when you haven't been there yet. I suspect that you work in the pub/brewing/hospitality industry with some links to this place - anyone who thinks that a Fullers pub is great in my opinion is at the least seriously misguided.

Neil F. Weber ● 4298d

No downer on council estates, however if you want to make money with a pub on a council estate you aim at the local market, not chelsea tractor drivers from central London. People won't "travel" to a great venue where people get knifed on a weekly basis in the environs. The model never really worked, the last lot left with arrears of £80k to the vegetable providers and £20K to the meat suppliers. Plus the beer was always awful, they couldn't keep a pint.

Neil F. Weber ● 4298d

Couldn't be further from the truth. I don't think I'm supporting it just looking forward to trying something new. Certainly not going to knock it until  I've tried it.

Kelly Cornfield ● 4298d

Those of us who have lived in the area for a while can see the writing on the wall. Overpriced for the area. Full stop.

Neil F. Weber ● 4298d

I think that I should apologize Kelly, it is just that I have seen too many perfectly good pubs wrecked in the trend towards gastropubs. The Penny Flyer was a pretty good pub before it got gentrified. Greed set it as the brewers and pubcos aimed at the restaurant market. These gastropubs provided food in a restaurant style without either the service or the quality. The EPT was never a particularly good dining experience and was an appalling drinking experience. You have in the past supported a Fullers pub that used to be acceptable as a pub before it got knocked into a large restaurant and which has some particularly unpleasant staff. There lies the problem, when I pay restaurant prices I want and expect restaurant service not some cash-in-hand travelling scum with attitude.I personally cannot see anything good coming out of the Ealing Park Tavern for South Ealing.

Neil F. Weber ● 4298d

Have you seen the price of property on Ealing Park Gardens, Darwin, Murray Road etc? If that's a council estate then I'll have some of that!!The flats going up round Brentford are going for c300k and theres lots of themPubs and eating places have been shutting downat record rates, surely the flat line has been reached and those left will slowly hopefully flourish?Ive yet to revisit but will do very very soon and hope it's good, God knows the area needs these places to do wellHalf decent Fullers boozers being mentioned here doesn't seem relevant but the Coach & Horses in Isleworth is a shout?I too will report back in an honest way after visiting

Colin Goodman ● 4298d

Colin, look across the South Ealng Road to the council estate when you are next there, and down the South Ealing Road to the South. There may be a few pricey roads behind the EPT, however, the bulk of the market is the estate.What we need is for the place to be good, not for it to do well fleecing people with overpriced beer.Sure, given the right marketing it will have a blip of interest when it first opens, something new for people to try, however, like all the other places in the area that have become restaurants rather than pubs there will then be the endless change of manager as the leaseholder/tenant seeks to make some money out of the venture.

Neil F. Weber ● 4298d

Great to see EPT re-open. A quality pub / restaurant in the area is very welcome. The operating company has a small portfolio of similar quality pubs / eating places so fingers crossed they can make it a success.To survive these days pubs need not only to give great hospitality and drinks but offer good food ,sensibly priced and great service.Early signs are positive, given that admittedly the location isn't ideal....but the market is plenty big enough....get it right and they will come.

Nick Jenkins ● 4298d

4 of us had a great meal on Wednesday. The place was vibrant, and the waiters very attentive. I shall certainly be going back.

Tony Smith ● 4298d

That's good news Tony - can you say if the cost was reasonable please? Thanks.

Gerry Tan ● 4298d

Tes, that also interests me as well. How much is a pint of weak lager, premium lager, real ale. How much is a soup. a main course, desert, etc? Some objective costing is necessary rather than just blog marketing.

Neil F. Weber ● 4298d

Bear in mind that once the owners feel they have got their feet in the door, so to speak, they will hike the prices.There is marketing at play here and a lot of money is going into it. The acid test will be six months and then a year down the road when the owners want to capitalize on the investment - beware! They are there to make money.The key thing remains: HOW MUCH IS A PINT OF BEER? Is it still the rip-off that iy was, or is it more resaonable.

Neil F. Weber ● 4298d

NeilThe menus are now onlinehttp://www.ealingparktavern.com/menus/£14.50 for a burger at the bar. Do make sure you have something soft to fall on when checking the beer prices!£6.00 for a £.00 bottle of Rodenbach or, even better, £8.00 for a bottle of Weird beard Decadence stout that you can buy for £3.35. Almost a fiver to open the bottle and pour it!!!

Nigel Brooks ● 4298d

I assume from Neil's comments that he either lives in Mayfair and/or runs a rival establishment and is trying to turn people away from the EPT.

Simon Wycombe ● 4297d

Well, I suppose the Weird Beard has had to be transported, obviously at great cost, all the way from Trumper's Way Hanwell...

Keith Iddon ● 4297d

Neither, just speaking from the voice of ezperience in watching shysters start of rip-off businesses. Nigel's reporting on the pricing a couple of comments ago clearly labels it as a local rip-off. I am not even going to bother going in it to try it out now that I know they are charging £14.95 for a burger at the bar. Now the only question is how long will it last before it gets sold on: six months, or one year? Any thoughts folks?

Neil F. Weber ● 4297d

Thank you for that information Nigel. I shall now avoid like the plague. I'll let the "emperors-new-clothes" lot go and get fleeced.

Neil F. Weber ● 4297d

Whoops! I meant £14.50 for a burger at the bar as per Nigel's earlier comment. I would suggest the Brothers' Kebab further up the road for a decent burger at a third of the price cooked by burger cooking experts who have been doing it for over twenty years and who (thankfully) don't have a degree in "Fine Culinary Arts" from the University of Worst London. And also served with much better grace than the average "Drama Studio" postgraduate student unemployed actress working behind the bar can muster to us mere mortal plebs.

Neil F. Weber ● 4297d

I won't be using this pub whatever the pricing policy so it makes no never mind to me, but you seem to have an axe to grind about this place Neil? Forgive me if I am wrong but you have certainly made your point...repeatedly.

Keith Iddon ● 4297d

Not this pub, but the pub business in general. It is true to say that this pub is tied to a brewery and hence has to sell on products (both food and drink) bought only from the brewery at the breweries prices and this to some extent expplains the ridiculous pricing that we experience of a product that costs abour 20 pence a pint to make (beer).I have yet to go into a pub in Ealing where the service merits the price tag. Pubs attract usually low-grade people as managers and staff while successful restaurants know that the business requires at least good manners and customr care. I am happy to pay restaurant prices in a well-run restaurant, but not restaurant prices in a jumped-up-boozer. A good, reasonable price boozer  I am happy with with the interesting and approriate cross-section of humanity that it attracts, but I am not happy with con men passing off food in pubs as haute cuisine and gastronomy.

Neil F. Weber ● 4297d

Again I must correct myself, I meant that I have not been in a GASTROPUB in Ealing yet that I felt gave approriately to what it charged, there are some good pubs in Ealing, though not gastropubs or pubs going down the restaurant route.

Neil F. Weber ● 4297d

I very rarely eat in a pub.I used to enjoy a Ploughman's Lunch until he got the hump....The Griffin in Brentford is supposed to have very good food,might try it soon. I am not a great fan of Fuller's beer and even less of a fan of their prices.I don't mind a pint of Chiswick Ale but not many of their pubs seem to have this any more. They do decent bottled beer but I gho to a pub for hand pumped ale.Why are they so expensive when the brewery is just up rthe road...answers on a postcard..!

Keith Iddon ● 4297d

For 8 persons: Tamworth suckling pig, apple caramel (pre order only) £175There you go Neil...just find 7 friends and enjoy! :-))The prices are on par with West London gastro pubs/restaurants.TBH I would have them a touch lower, given location and history of the pub....but as long as the pub/meal experience is excellent they should pull it off.

Nick Jenkins ● 4297d

I am not sure where you are getting your pricing from, however the prices at the EPT are significantly higher than the other local pubs, bars, and eateries. It will have changed hands within a year.

Neil F. Weber ● 4297d

Neil you are a tad unfair on the catering graduates from UWL who have, deservedly, a reputation for high-end skills and can walk into many top kitchens.The Pillars Restaurant at UWL where the students train and showcase their skills is excellent with some really good quality food.It is lunch only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and lunch/ dinner on Thursday and Friday term-time only but, as example; a three-course lunch of crab salad, roast rump of lamb and a wonderful chocolate and orange mousse was .......£12.50!All professionally prepared and served.

Nigel Brooks ● 4297d

Take a look at The Plough menu....one of their near  competitors. Very similar prices (in fact more expensive like for like on some things) and I would wager the EPT is aiming at serving a better quality product.I did say West London...go to any QUALITY gastro pub and these are the prices you will pay. The market is there. As long as they keep up standards to justify the prices they will be ok.

Nick Jenkins ● 4297d

I do not agree. Like many other gastros they will not succeed, there is only so much demand for gastropubs. There are too many already.

Neil F. Weber ● 4297d

No I am not being unfair to the University of Worst London. The course is entirely commercial and the health of the customer does NOT come into it. They are not taught how to prepare healthy food and programmed to create an experience that will satisfy the customer in spite of their health. Two key things that they are taught are: a) Season, season, and season again, i.e. put in as much salt as possible as it enhances the taste regardless of the health risks, and b) always cook in butter because it carries the taste best, and hence satifsfies the customer better. They are therefore taught not to cook anything in oil where butter can be used, e.g. curries which are healthier cooked in oil, but don't taste as good as when cooked in butter. My advice to you is that if you encounter a University of Worst London Fine Culinary Arts Graduate the food cooked will taste good, however, repeated exposure WILL shorten your life.

Neil F. Weber ● 4297d

I think if the food is good they'll do well. It does seem a bit daft not to have a few 'session' beers at around the £4.00 mark. I had a few Prides at the Victoria in Paddington the other night at £3.95 - it's a decent Fullers pub with open fires and an old fashioned feel.Weatherspoons do the low cost market well. Has anyone tried the Sir Michael Balcon? Do they do the burger and a drink for around £7.00 like others I've been in?

John Walker ● 4297d

I said a tad unfair, this has moved to grossly unfair.Of course butter tastes better and as for salt, are you seriously suggesting that you, or anyone, eats salt-laden food every day? Of course not.Scaremongering rubbish as one butter laden well-seasoned meal occasionally will cause no one any harm.

Nigel Brooks ● 4297d

The EPT does NOT want session drinkers, like the Kings Arms by the shopping centre the New Inn in South Ealing, and the Forester in Northfields prices are pegged so that the only drinkers are the ones who come in to eat, the proprietors do not want their guests to have to watch builders, labourers, and old gits (like me) sitting there for hours on end drinking beer. Prices are pegged to keep the riff-raff out. So if you expect to pay four pounds for a pint of beer you are riff-raff in these peoples' eyes. Beer could be cheaper, but these guys want margin rather than volume.The Sir Michael Balcon is excellent and shows how a pub can and should be run that attracts people across the entire spectrum of humanity. Another excellent Wetherspoons is the Red Lion and Pineapple in Acton.

Neil F. Weber ● 4297d

What I really like at Wetherspoons is that all the food has a calorie count beside it on the menu. Unfortunately my days of eating whole roast suckling pig are long gone (I did once have one - between three people - at the Wig and Pen Club) and I find it useful to know that what I am eating is not going to up my blood pressure too much the next day.

Neil F. Weber ● 4297d

I doubt this thread's been very good for yours eitherr Neil! :-0

Keith Iddon ● 4297d

"It's commercial -- they are only interested in making money""Only concentrating on margin"Last time I checked pubs and restaurants were businesses! I've no shame in making money in the building industry and if I had a battle I'd also be looking to make money in that!!!I echo my earlier comments that I hope EPT does well and look forward to my visit

Colin Goodman ● 4297d

We had 3 courses, drink to start, nice wine, glass of dessert wine each, came to 50 pounds. About right in terms of price.

Tony Smith ● 4297d

Thanks Tony - I guess £50 was for two of you - that sounds quite reasonable. I can't understand what all the fuss is about.

Gerry Tan ● 4297d

Indeed..6 courses,2 glasses of wine and 2 of dessert wine for £50 doesn't seem too over the top if the food and drink is of a high standard.

Keith Iddon ● 4297d

I think Tony might mean £50 per head.

Neil F. Weber ● 4297d

But would you make money if you were over-priced?

Neil F. Weber ● 4297d

Yes - 50 pounds each.

Tony Smith ● 4297d

So £100 for two meals in a pub? Ye gods!

Nigel Brooks ● 4297d

That seems a bit steep to me but I don't know how good the food/ service was. I would normally pay about that much, maybe £60 for two at,say, the North China in Acton which is the best Chinese food for miles imo.As long as you think it's worth it, then it is.£50 would easily buy a meal for 4 at my local Bangladeshi restaurant,Sami's Spice which was recently rated as 70th best restaurant in London for food and value although they do not serve alcohol(byo).

Keith Iddon ● 4297d

Sorry , my mistake...Sami's is 238th out of 17,872 restaurants on Trip Advisor.

Keith Iddon ● 4297d

Sorry but it's all relative in terms of prices these daysThe Happy Duck is essentially a pub.It's a high class (apparently) gastro pub and if you think you'd come out of there for less than around £150 a head then you're mad. This is all because it's fronted by Heston Bluementhal.I think that's madnessBut then when I eat in City places around Bank etc with work it's easily between £70 to £150 each. This is in places like Hawksmoor etcThere's other places up there where that spend is considered cheap!!I can't afford that so to me the prices are too highHowever I can luckily afford £50 to £100  head every now and then and gladly pay it if all boxes are ticked, especially if it's 7 minutes walk from my front door!!!!So it's relativeIf you want to spend £7.99 for a meal and a pint of Stella then obviously it's horses for courses, maybe The Hungry Horse for courses!Each to their own and I'm not going to dig out frequenters of such places Or wish the establishment bad luck

Colin Goodman ● 4297d

This Forum certainly engages one and gives one access to alternative views to one's own on what is happening in Ealing. I think I have done some good if I have planted the seed in peoples' minds that the EPT is NOT what it tries to pass itself of as: a reasonable local pub, but instead is an overpriced gimmick that is innappropriate for the area.

Neil F. Weber ● 4296d

£100 per head ?You must be over paid. That is  more than twice the average daily income in London alone.Should you not be living in Hampstead or Mayfair?

Anthony Waller ● 4296d

"You must be overpaid"Should I be offended? Probably at such an assertion but I won'tMy wages are decent and I'm not embarrassed about that but they are nowhere near what I should be getting. It's still tough out there and 16 hour days, stress, pressure and aggro are the justifiable trade off I suppose. Maybe that's why eating and drinking out at decent places is a good release and the rare top dollar treats all the more enjoyable!!!As for Mayfair maybe in 19 years time when I've paid my crippling mortgage off I will make the move!!!

Colin Goodman ● 4296d

Of course it's an assertion. Most locals would baulk at the cost of a city lunch.16 hours days have also been the norm for me for at least the last 19 years.Six day weeks are more often than not. In a profession with 2 degrees and a PhD. plus all the professional qualifications.But that's to tread water. I could not get away with a city lunch costing more than £35 nor would our company allow it.The only people I see doing this regularly in town are bankers, lawyers and management consultants.But I have been lucky enough to eat at several Michelin starred restaurants over the years. But I can honestly say that great that most of them were, I have had some great meals for less than £25.The most recent and notable being right on my doorstep at the Supper Club at the Griffin in Brentford. A five star meal of near Michelin quality.Expensive pricing does not always mean quality, it usually means exclusive and buys into an image.

Anthony Waller ● 4296d

Apart from McKinsey I don't know of any Management Consultants who could expense more than £40 for a whole day's meals - that's the HMRC limit and only applies when the consultant is working away from home overnight.

Chris Martin ● 4294d

Had a nice 12.50 bit of fish and chips. Although very nice it was more batter than fish.A bit overpriced plus waitress was a bit OTT.

Simon Wycombe ● 4294d

Apart from McKinsey I don't know of any Management Consultants who could expense more than £40 for a whole day's meals - that's the HMRC limit and only applies when the consultant is working away from home overnight.I'm not sure exactly which post this is referring to but there doesn't seem to be any realistic limit that applies when "treating" staff members or, even more expensive, when entertaining clients.I used to work for a place where we were allowed to pay for very expensive meals for any number of people as long as at least one client or prospective client was present.  Two years of good dining.

Phil Kay ● 4294d

I have no "interest" here, but can certainly recommend "The Belvedere" (on Hanger Lane roundabout) for a reasonably up-market night out, (esp the starter and sweet trollies!), and "Paolo's" (behind Park Royal tube) for bistro-style Italian eating.Even if it means it is more difficult for me to get a booking!

Mark Walker ● 4292d

NigelI guess the drawback would be no booze - am I correct?Do they operate a BYO policy?(£12:50 sounds a steal).ThanksM.

Mark Walker ● 4292d

As far as I recall, Pillars don't encourage BYO wine.  They had quite a comprehensive and varied wine list and the students took particular care and dexterity in presenting, then opening and then pouring - they're students being watched by lecturers as I remember.  And always very good value.

Gerry Tan ● 4292d

IIRC correctly they had a perfectly good house white for around a tenner.

Nigel Brooks ● 4292d

Tried it. Ten times the price of a LIDL or MandS luxury ready meal and not the quality. Way too much salt.

Neil F. Weber ● 4288d

Surprised they let you in!

Simon Wycombe ● 4287d

I don't think that they reliased that it was me. Anyway, my aunt was paying for the treat and no-one bars entry to a woman with a mink coat on.

Neil F. Weber ● 4287d

My wife and I are going on Friday, looking forward to it!

Jim McCauley ● 4280d

Hope you enjoy the food - look forward to your verdict of the new catering.

Gerry Tan ● 4279d

More importantly what is the beer like, after all it is a pub. It's not on my normal route but I'm looking forward to trying it particularly after hearing from all the naysayers on this forum.

Dave Burke ● 4279d

Mr Burke!I shall be interested in your opinion as to the pricing of the beer. That's what is all comes down to. It is like buying a pint of milk, do you go into shop A which costs twice as much, or do you go into shop B that charges less?Simple economics. The nay sayers are dealing in hard numbers: it is much more expensive than elsewhere. That is not a matter of opinion, it is a matter of numerical fact. Do you want to be fleeced, or not?

Neil F. Weber ● 4279d

As long as you know the prices in advance that is not being ripped off or fleeced.  Maybe more expensive than many are happy, or indeed can afford, to pay but surely just do not cross the threshold then but why knock it?  It will fail or survive on the quality of what it delivers and many are happy to pay a bit more for birthdays, anniversaries etc.

Philip Coe ● 4279d

Some good pubs in Ealing would ne nice that do not set out to rip you off... I am just saying what a lot of people are thinking. Why should pubs doing an emperors new clothes act be exempt from consumer scrutiny? Would you consider paying mroe for your electricity to a new electricity company charginging twice as much as the others because it has a new building and some PR? Is its electricity better because the bills come on gilt-edged cards?

Neil F. Weber ● 4279d

Went for dinner last night, the saloon and dining room certainly look smart - a lot of money has clearly been spent. Had a pint of High Wire IPA which was fantastic but cost five quid, staff were giving people tasters of the various draught beers. I had whitebait for my starter which were pretty good, the mrs had chilli squid cooked in a really nice spicy batter, my only complaint was the squid seemed a little rubbery and overcooked. We shared the T-Bone steak and chips which was fantastic and a real feast. We got through a caraffe of white wine and a nice bottle of pinot with the steak, with coffees I think it came to 120 quid. Not cheap but I can' think of any proper gastropub in Ealing so I think they're onto something.

Jim McCauley ● 4276d

Pleased you enjoyed your EPT meal - though it does seem a bit pricey - must go soon.

Gerry Tan ● 4276d

Two starters, one main meal and a carafe(half bottle?) of white and a bottle of pinot, two coffees £120 ?

Keith Iddon ● 4276d

Finally got to go to the EPT last nightSo let's deal with this "over priced" feeling first.We had two starters - lamb terrine & half a pint of king prawns; two mains - one fish and chips, one chop of the day; and a bottle of Savvy.The bill including service £64.80 - more on that below.So the food was good, very good actually but obviously not 10/10 high end - I wasn't expecting it to be anyway.The service was great and attentive without being over-bearing.The decor was spot on and they've done a great renovation  job with my only reservation being the stuffed animals in a couple of locations on the walls!! The tables did seem ideally spaced out and I'd say if it was me I would've looked to squeeze a few more in for ££££!!The atmosphere was great with some nicely chilled music at the right level and a busy dining room and (by the looks) a decent number in the bar.So for £32.40 a head we had a good night out, a short walk from our front door and were both pretty well stuffed. If people think that is extortion in this day and age in West London then clearly the EPT and similar establishments are not for you.Yes there are cheaper budget options around like The Harvester and if those places float your boat then fair play and I wouldn't knock people on that front. I fully appreciate people need to work to a budget and appreciate being lucky enough for EPT and similar to sit in my budget (not every night unfortunately!!). I'd love to be able to hit La Chaperelle, Sketch, Roux and The Landmark etc once a month but I simply can't afford it -- that's not to say I'm going to start slagging those places and criticizing their prices... there's obviously a market and a place for them.So a big thumbs up for The Ealing Park Tavern so far and it's great to have decent battle cruiser in the locale again. Next time I go I'm going to ensure I use the bar area as well but from what I did see all looks good. I'd be shocked if paying less than £3.60 a beer --- not saying it's right but that's London and the pub business for you these days.Anyway - the dining rooms were fully booked in the peak hours of 19:00 to 21:00Hrs so that alone tells a story first weekend after Xmas!!E.P.T -- keep to your standards set and you'll do fine

Colin Goodman ● 4276d

That doesn't seem to bad Colin but it is way cheaper than £120.

Keith Iddon ● 4275d

Colin, I think £32/head for what you had was very reasonable. Jim McC's meal was the pricey meal at £60/head.EPT seems a good place to dine- we'll go and see for ourselves - well done EPT.

Gerry Tan ● 4275d

Thanks for the reviews. Also good reviews on Tripadvisor and Twitter, shows people are happy to pay for a quality meal experience, as you would expect in West London.Like many I expect,I received a 30% off voucher through the letterbox, so people are certainly going to try it.

Nick Jenkins ● 4275d

Apologies on the lateness of my review but we had to cancel our original booking due to a late work commitment. My partner and I did, however,  find ourselves at a loose end a couple of Fridays ago so he decided to give them a call to see if they had a table available that night, this was not a problem and a table was reserved for 7:15.When we got to the EPT they had no recollection of our booking and we chatted to a couple of different staff (to see who received the call) before one chap cleverly recognised that we had called the old number which now went through to the Southfields Park Tavern- cue slightly red faces! Not only did he find us a table (in the bar as the restaurant was fully booked) but he also called the other restaurant to explain the confusion.My partner had the squid to start, followed by pie of the day (venison); I had the blue cheese tart followed by chop of the day (Barnsley) with a side of Dauphinoise potatoes. We shared a bottle of very nice white wine and a pear and apple crumble for pudding.  The bill, including service, came to £72.00 which I thought was very good for the quality of food and excellent service we received. We will definitely return and I am eager to try some of the other more unusual items on the menu.As a comparison, we went to Cote on Saturday which is one of our other favourite local places to eat. We had a bottle of wine, 2 starters, 2 mains, 2 sides and shared a dessert – with service this was £93.00.I did forget to ask the price of beer though!! I will make sure I do this when I return.

Kelly Cornfield ● 4274d

Speaking of Cote, our favourite place for lunch - their Fixed Price lunch offers on weekdays are very reasonable.

Gerry Tan ● 4274d

Thanks for review -- all sounds very similar to my experience so proof no flash in the panI didn't mention my only disappointment which was the pie of the day had sold out!!! I'm going back asap just to try that!!The other thing I need to find out is if the Bar area is dog friendly. I'd say probably not but be nice if it was, not vital but a nice stop off from a walk

Colin Goodman ● 4274d

Went again last night, even better than last time. Had two pints of really smashing Beavertown IPA then croquettes which were lovely and a lamb pie which was also really good. The dining room was packed out and buzzing.

Jim McCauley ● 4244d

There have been several good opinions and experiences of the recently refurbished EPT, including the latest review by Annemarie Flanagan which is positive and useful on the frontpage. Well done EPT.

Gerry Tan ● 4243d

Wednesday night is supper club night at The Griffin in Brentford where last night you could have enjoyed the following: Starters•  Cornish stone bass ceviche with pickled cucumber, salmon caviar & baby cress• Smoked potato & garlic soup with poached quail egg & truffle oil Mains• Lingfield pheasant & mushroom pie with spring greens & horseradish mash Whole grilled sea bream stuffed with rosemary & lemon served with black olive crushed new potatoes & watercress• Surf & Turf - 8oz sirloin steak & giant king prawn with double cooked chips, corn on the cob & garlic butter (£10 supp p.p) Steak  / Prawn option  - either the steak or the prawn served as above (£5 supp) To finish• Key lime pie• Selection of cheeses with onion chutney 2 courses for £15.95 or 3 courses for £18.95 add a bottle of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc for £20.50 and your total bill could have been £60.40 - no service charges and excellent food.  I too have eaten at the EPT (Barnsley chop)which comes with some wilted greens and nothing else so you have to order extra veg plus there is a service charge.  It was very nice but for me there was no comparison in quality or price.

Bernadette Paul ● 4243d

4 of us went to eat last Saturday night. Both the bar and restaurant were very busy.An enjoyable night, but not blown away. Food was good, but room for improvement, given the prices and what they are trying to achieve. Service excellent. One thing I didnt like was the non stop rave background music!...it wasnt loud but didnt seem appropriate for the dining room.

Nick Jenkins ● 4243d

I need working Wi-Fi and a cup of tea to finish my online shopping before collecting what I need from Screwfix around the corner and I am in South Ealing so I end up in the re-furbished Ealing Park Tavern and it is as it should be in a recently-refurbished pub. It is clean and light and fairly warm. The Wi-Fi works and I found a power outlet for my notebook next to a standard lamp standing next to a very comfortable wing chair.  The green tea that I drank was a Twinings green tea bag. The pot of tea that I had at the Tavern gave me more than two cups for my £2.75.The public house has been finished to a very high standard and the quarter-sawn and figured oak in the fireplace surround and paneling show the original grain nicely. The stuffed animal heads are more amusing rather than ghoulish as has been suggested by other people, and there is a touch of “steam punk” to the overall atmosphere provided by the black iron electroliers with vintage filament bulbs reminiscent of radio valves. Various pipework and fittings such as the bar pump assemblies have an industrial, steam-punk feel to them which in my opinion works well. The sofas and chairs are new and comfortable and do not sag.By about six in the evening teatime is over and the candles are lit, the music comes on, the lights dim and the punters bundle in. Enticed though I am by the thought of a beer, today is a “no-alcohol” day so I go off to Screwfix which is a stone's throw down the road to collect my order.

Mark Laskowski ● 4216d

Nice story but I was expecting a punch line!

Simon Wycombe ● 4215d

I am sorry that there is no punch line. I decided to try the Ealing Park Tavern following all the heated debate and this is what I found. It is a nice place to have a cup of green tea in the afternoon.

Mark Laskowski ● 4215d

Can't say fairer than that MarkWell written bit of prose as well if I may say

Colin Goodman ● 4215d